Microbubble medical devices

ABSTRACT

Method and medical devices for generating and stabilizing micro or nano bubbles, and systems and methods for therapeutic applications using the bubbles, is provided. Two novel bubble generating means are provided: in-line capillary tubes and mix chambers flow focusing, and cross flow bubble generation with optimized bubble detachment means. A method and medical device to stabilize bubble sizes and improve bubble size homogeneity through rectified diffusion is disclosed. A method and system to facilitate acoustic activation of therapeutic agents using ultrasound energy is provided. 
     Methods, systems, selected additives, and devices to permit therapeutic benefits such as ultrasound-guided precision drug delivery and real-time verification, acoustic activation of large tumour masses while avoiding acoustic shadowing, enhanced acoustic activation through longer retention of therapeutic agents at the point of interest, on demand means to combine inertial and non-inertial acoustic activation in a single treatment, enhancement of high intensity focused ultrasound treatments, light activation of photodynamic drugs at a depth within a patient using extracorporeal light sources, probes, or sonoluminescence, and initiation of time reversal acoustics focused ultrasound to permit highly localized treatment, are provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/588,995,filed on Oct. 27, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes.

This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/730,370 filed Oct. 27, 2005, which is herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally pertains to medical devices for infusingtherapeutic agents into patients and more particularly to medicaldevices for generating gas bubbles suitable for infusion into patients.Such devices can be used, for example, to inject or otherwise administertherapeutic agents in the form of, or in combination with, micro or nanobubbles. Acoustic activation or sonoporation of the bubbles, through theapplication of ultrasound energy, increases cell permeability andimproves drug uptake and treatment efficacy. Variants of the method,system, and device may incorporate fluid flow focusing, cross flowbubble detachment, bubble stability through rectified diffusion,surfactant combinations, bioadhesion additives, sonophoresis,photodynamic drugs, tumour killing agents, contrast agents, timereversal acoustics focused ultrasound, high intensity focusedultrasound, and sonoluminescence. Variants of the method, system, anddevice may be used to produce contrast media to enhance ultrasoundimaging.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Acoustic activation is a means to improve the effectiveness of drugs.

A variety of acoustically activated drug delivery systems existincluding gas bubbles and drugs, drugs encapsulated in microspheres,biodegradable polymer and drug solution gas bubbles, drug impregnatedmicrosponges, injectable nanoparticles such as vesicles, micelles, andliposomes, and other drug carrying particles, bubbles, or spheres thatpermit acoustic activation of therapeutic agents.

Acoustically activated drug delivery system are typically administeredto a patient and then activated by extracorporeal ultrasound sources toincrease the permeability of cell membranes to allow drugs to betterpenetrate cells, enhance drug uptake, and hence improve the treatmentefficacy.

Acoustic activation may permit localized drug delivery. The physicianmay apply ultrasound once the drug and cavitation nuclei, typicallymicrobubbles, are delivered to a point of interest within a patient, inorder to release the drug at the disease site. Localized drug deliverypermits a high dosage of toxic drugs to improve treatment effectivenessand may minimize negative side effects to healthy tissue.

Ultrasound energy may cause gas microbubbles to resonate or burst intosmaller fragments, and may induce cavitation, microstreaming, or theperforation of cell membranes. Bubble resonance is typically describedas sonoporation or non-inertial cavitation, while the bubble destructionis described as inertial cavitation.

The therapeutic agents may be chemotherapy drugs, gene therapy, andother agents.

Direct injection of chemotherapy drugs into tumours is typically notdone, as this does not improve patient outcome. Cancers may developresistance to drugs and render chemotherapy useless. Acoustic activationresearchers have destroyed human, drug-resistant tumours in rodentsusing cavitation nuclei and ultrasound.

Acoustic activation technology shows promise for the treatment of drugresistant cancer tumours, vascular disease, neurological diseases, andother diseases. Efficacy may be enhanced by infusing drugs with bubblesand enhancing cell permeability with ultrasound energy. Further benefitsmay be obtained by infusing transient gas microbubbles in combinationwith acoustically activated drug delivery release systems to enhance thelocal cavitation effects.

Presently, acoustically activated drug delivery systems are typicallyhard-shelled, persistent, gas microbubbles formulated in apharmaceutical setting. They are designed to persist through toadministration to a patient. Such products are required to maintainintegrity through the shock, vibration, and temperature changes oftransportation and to persist over time through to administration. Suchformulations may include complex design and processing features, forexample, are typically polymer or polymer and solvent based. However,these persistent systems must also dissipate or degrade in the patientonce administered and activated. These polymers and any other componentsare required to biodegrade with minimal negative side effects.

Acoustically activated drug delivery systems may range in size from nanoscale, sub micron, up to 1000 microns, with a one to ten micron sizetypical. Size preference depends upon the resonant frequency, or aharmonic, of the bubble or particle to be activated at a particularultrasound frequency, and may also depend upon the desired release ratesof the encapsulated drugs. Increased size uniformity would encourageeffective and more complete activation.

Acoustic activation techniques include inertial cavitation, wheretypically 20 micron gas microbubbles are destroyed by ultrasound energy,and non-inertial cavitation or sonoporation, where ultrasound energycauses one to seven micron microbubbles to resonate. Researchers havedemonstrated in vivo therapeutic enhancement with both techniques. Inaddition, sonophoresis involves the application of ultrasound, orultrasound and cavitation nuclei such as microbubbles, to increase thepermeability of surface cells, such as the skin or cornea, in order toimprove the delivery of topically applied drugs.

In the field of oncology, treatment techniques may includeadministration to patients of individual ‘cocktails’ of chemotherapydrugs depending upon the indication, patient reaction to therapy, anddisease stage. Future treatment planning may include the administrationof a first chemotherapy drug enhanced by inertial cavitation followed bya second drug enhanced by non-inertial cavitation.

Oncologists do not currently have a means to provide patients with aflexible, acoustically activated therapy, i.e. the means to administer avariety of drugs, or combination of drugs, on short notice, withtherapeutic enhancements such as improved drug uptake and reduced sideeffects.

Photodynamic drugs are light activated by laser or other sources inorder to improve their effectiveness. They are limited to surfaceapplications of about one centimetre in depth or, through the use of aballoon catheter equipped with a laser, may be used to treat internalsurfaces of the body for diseases such as cancer of the esophagus. Themeans to improve the cellular uptake of photodynamic drugs usingacoustic activation may improve their effectiveness. The means to lightactivate photodynamic drugs at a depth within a patient would expandtheir potential usage.

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a means to induce cellnecrosis in diseased tissue, for example to destroy tumours through heatablation. Heat ablation treatments typically require a duration ofminutes, which may preclude multiple direct probe applications ifpatients are in overall poor health and require a number of tumours tobe destroyed. The simultaneous infusion of gas microbubbles with HIFUenergy may enhance the treatment efficacy and expand potentialapplications.

Accordingly, there is a need for a medical device that would overcomethese and other drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and medical device for generating transient micro or nanobubbles, and a system and methods for acoustical activation of thebubbles, is disclosed. Two novel bubble generating means are disclosed:in-line capillary tubes and mix chambers flow focusing, and cross flowbubble generation with optimized bubble detachment means. A method andmedical device to stabilize bubble sizes and achieve high homogeneitythrough rectified diffusion is disclosed. Methods, systems, and devicesto permit precision direct drug delivery are disclosed. Methods,systems, selected additives, and devices to permit therapeuticapplications such as acoustic activation of large tumour masses whileavoiding acoustic shadowing, enhanced acoustic activation through longerretention of therapeutic agents at the point of interest, on demandmeans for combining inertial and non-inertial acoustic activation in asingle treatment, enhancement of high intensity focused ultrasoundtumour ablation, activation of photodynamic drugs at a depth within apatient using sonoluminescence and other means, and initiation of timereversal acoustics focused ultrasound to permit highly localizedtreatment, are disclosed.

The medical device comprises a fluid vessel for holding a fluid, a fluiddelivery means operatively connected to the fluid vessel for applying apressure and causing the fluid to travel a flow path, and a bubblegenerating means for generating bubbles comprised of the fluid. Thefluid passing through the bubble generating means, also termed herein as“bubble fluid”. The bubbles generated are micro or nano sized.

The bubble fluid may form bubbles within a second carrier fluid. Thesecond carrier fluid may be contained within a second vessel or within aconduit into which both the bubble fluid and the second fluid flows.Additional fluids are also contemplated. An injection means fordelivering the bubble fluid co-mingled with the second fluid into a bodyat a desired location, for example, into a tissue mass, tumour, muscle,skin, organ, or other suitable structure, depending on the application,may also be provided.

Ultrasound may then be used to rupture, resonate, or otherwise activatethe bubbles (acoustic activation) at a point of interest.

The injection means include a hollow needle, catheter, tube, or othersurgical instrument that can be inserted within a body to a point ofinterest, for example, into a tissue mass, tumour, muscle, skin, organ,vein, artery, or other suitable structure, depending on the application,and is structured to permit fluid flow. Fluid from the vessel would beable to flow through the injection means for discharge into the body, ormore specifically, at a point of interest. The term “injection means” isto be broadly understood as including various means for introducing afluid into a body, including by active injection or passive permeation,or otherwise by infusion.

The device may be used to infuse microbubbles in order to enhance theheat ablation effects of therapeutic ultrasound. Such therapeuticultrasound may be applied non-invasively through an extracorporealtransducer or transducer array or through minimally invasive means, suchas a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) probe. The hollow needle,catheter, or tube to be used for microbubble infusion may be connectedto a HIFU probe, or mounted coaxially or through other suitable meansfor focusing ultrasound and microbubbles at a point of interest. Themicrobubble infusion means, for example a needle or catheter, may bedeployed in conjunction with a HIFU probe, manipulated by a singlephysician or by two physicians or medical technicians. The heat ablationenhancement of therapeutic ultrasound may or may not be used incombination with drugs, including acoustically activated drugs.

All or part of the device may be mounted on a handheld device orconnected by conduit to the handheld device, such as a compressed,medical grade gas canister connected by conduit to the device. The meansfor generating bubbles may be a separate assembly from the handhelddevice. The device and means for generating bubbles may be configured asa table top or floor-supported unit, locally mounted, supported onpatient body parts, or configured in other means suitable to a clinicalsetting. The device may be connected to building utilities, for exampleto a hospital oxygen gas supply line.

The fluid may be a liquid or gas, including in the form of a solution, asuspension, a vapour, other fine particulate solids dissolved in aliquid vehicle, a combination, or the like, provided that it isflowable. This fluid may be added to a second fluid which may also be inthe form of a solution, a suspension, a vapour, other fine particulatesolids dissolved in a liquid vehicle, a combination, or the like,provided that it is flowable. Thus, the device may be used to generategas bubbles within a liquid carrier, liquid bubbles/droplets within aliquid carrier, liquid bubbles/droplets within a gas carrier, or gasbubbles within a gas carrier. The device may be used with liquefied gas.

The fluid vessel is any vessel that can hold and dispense fluid. Forexample, the vessel may be in the form of a syringe and the fluiddelivery means may be in the form of a plunger for the syringe or apump. As another example, the fluid vessel may be in the form of acompressed gas vessel and the fluid delivery means in the form of acompressed gas force and suitable regulators. The term “container” maybe understood as interchangeable with the term “vessel”.

The fluid vessel may contain a therapeutic fluid or a carrier fluid. Atherapeutic fluid may be a therapeutic liquid, such as a liquid drug ordrug in solution, or contain a therapeutic agent suspended, dissolved,carried, or otherwise conveyed in a suitable liquid vehicle includingdrug eluting microspheres suspended in a fluid and radiolabelledisotopes. A therapeutic agent may include a variety of drug compounds,or other medicinal or non-medicinal substances, minerals, vitamins,imaging-enhancement substances, radioactive substances, and the like,that can be carried in the liquid or gaseous fluid.

The carrier or bubble fluids may include additives, natural orsynthetic, to alter its viscosity, or a surfactant or a combination ofsurfactants, in order to promote the generation of or the stability ofbubbles, and effective drug perfusion.

The additives may be toxic, for example surfactants with a beta-lactamring that may destroy cells by necrosis. An advantage of such acomponent is to efficiently perform combination therapy. A singleadditive may improve bubble stability and generation, in order topromote acoustic activation of a chemotherapy drug, as well as enhancetumour cell destruction through necrosis.

The carrier or bubble fluids may include additives, for example fibrincompounds, to promote the bioadhesion of the bubbles or therapeuticagents. The advantage of bioadhesion additives would be to promote theretention of the bubbles or the therapeutic agent within a diseasedsite, for example a tumour, despite the tendency of a tumour's vascularnetwork to drain fluids away. In this way the acoustic activation may beprolonged to ensure sufficient duration, such as a minute or a fewminutes of ultrasound application, for optimum therapeutic effects.

Additives that increase the viscosity of the drug, without particularbioadhesive properties, may also improve the retention of the bubbles orthe therapeutic agent by slowing their drainage from a tumour. Forexample, PVP povidone is a common medical thickening agent.

The carrier or bubble fluids may include additives that are disposed toimprove therapeutic agent uptake in cancer cells. For example, lipidiolbound to a radioisotope is administered via catheter for the treatmentof liver cancers.

The carrier or bubble fluids may include additives chemically compatiblewith specific therapeutic agents, for example an alcohol-compatiblesurfactant. This may permit acoustic activation of treatments such asdirect ethanol or acid injection in tumours, or injection of liquidradioisotopes or radioactive particles in suspensions.

Ethanol injection of liver tumours is an established, inexpensivetreatment, however it is limited to tumour sizes of around 2 cm or less,even distribution throughout the tumour mass may be problematic, andfive year survival of only 60% is typical. As alcohol destabilizes somesurfactants, an alcohol compatible surfactant would be selected so thatthe device may be used to acoustically activate and improve ethanolinjection effectiveness and to permit its use for larger tumours.

The device may include means for intermixing additives on demand withthe fluids in order to provide patient specific treatment. For example,gas bubbles without bioadhesion or viscosity enhancing additives couldbe administered in a sterile saline solution to enhance ultrasoundimaging clarity of a local anatomical region, such as a tumour. Thedevice could then be used to infuse a chemotherapy drug with gas bubblesand bioadhesion and viscosity enhancing additives in order to optimizethe bubble stability and retention in the tumour site for theapplication of ultrasound and acoustic activation of the drug.

The device may include an ultrasonic transducer or transducer array inorder to stabilize bubbles at desired sizes using rectified diffusion.Gas bubbles tend to shrink and dissipate in liquids. Rectified diffusionis the process whereby ultrasound energy causes bubbles at a particularsize to resonate and prevents further bubble shrinkage for as long asthe ultrasound is applied.

An advantage of using rectified diffusion to stabilize bubble size is topermit a simpler, less costly means to generate the desired bubbles.Acoustic activation is typically achieved with gas bubbles from one totwenty microns in diameter, and in particular, one to five micronsdiameter, and a homogenous size distribution is desired. The device mayincorporate relatively simple and inexpensive means for generatingnon-stable bubbles in a range of sizes, such as twenty to three hundredmicrons in diameter. As the bubbles shrink to the resonant frequencysize of the rectified diffusion ultrasound source, they may bestabilized, resulting in homogenous, small diameter bubbles, which canthen be infused into the patient for acoustic activation therapy orimaging purposes.

The device may include means for driving the bubble fluid into a secondcarrier fluid while inducing cross flow motion in the carrier fluid.This cross flow will promote bubble detachment, permitting smaller andmore homogenous bubble sizes than would be possible with a staticsystem. By controlling the cross flow speed, a controllable bubble sizecan be achieved.

Cross flow experiments whereby the bubble fluid is driven from acapillary tube or pipette into a flowing carrier fluid, and where thecapillary tube is mounted at right angles to the flowing carrier fluid,reveal a tendency for the forming bubbles to be driven in the directionof the flow and to expand prior to detachment. As smaller bubbles aretypically desired, it is advantageous to have additional means forpromoting bubble detachment. The cross flow device may include funnelsor hydrofoils to focus the carrier fluid flow at the capillary tubeopening for optimum bubble detachment. The capillary tube may bepositioned in line of the cross flow. The capillary tube may besubjected to a regular shear force or vibration, through contact with apiezo transducer or other electromechanical means, in order to promotebubble detachment.

The fluid vessel or vessels, conduit, and device may include means forcontrolling the fluid temperature, such as refrigeration or heatingsources, temperature sensors and controls, thermal insulating materials,and the like, to enhance the bubble generation. Temperature controlmeans in combination with fluid pressure control, may enable a suitablefluid in liquid form to be transformed into micro bubbles and infusedinto the patient, after which body temperature and pressure may causethe bubbles to change to a gas form for acoustic activation. Bubblesgenerated by the device may be heated to body temperature prior toinfusion within the patient in order to ensure that the bubble sizeremains constant from generation to therapeutic use.

The fluid delivery means causes fluid in the vessel to travel a flowpath, usually along a conduit or vessel such as a syringe. The fluiddelivery means may be a plunger on a standard medical syringe, a syringepump, variable speed fluid transfer pump, peristaltic pump, or othermeans to pump fluids, and also contemplates pressurization incombination with regulators, for example, compressed gas with a gasregulator.

The fluid delivery means may be manually actuated, driven by mechanicalmeans such as compression or extension springs, or other mechanicalmethods, by electro-mechanical means such as an electric motor, solenoiddrive, programmable syringe pump, or other electro-mechanical means, orby pneumatic or hydraulic means. Where the fluid is a compressed gas,the fluid delivery means may include compressed gas force and suitableregulators. A variety of means are contemplated and may be selecteddepending on a variety of factors such as the manner of operation of thebubble generating means, the size of the bubbles, the relative viscosityof the bubble fluid and carrier fluid, and other factors, as will beappreciated. For example, the selection of a non-manual drive means forthe bubble and carrier fluids may then be dependent upon sufficientpressure to deliver the fluids through capillary tubes, at a rate of theflow sufficient so as to induce a flow focusing effect whereby thebubbles generated may be of a smaller diameter than the capillary tubediameter.

The therapeutic agent may be delivered to the point of interest priorto, simultaneously with, or after the delivery of the transient bubblesin a carrier fluid. The device may include fluid reservoirs for thetherapeutic agent or agents, bubble fluid or fluids, and carrier fluidor fluids.

Devices of the present invention includes means for providing nano ormicro bubbles through patient infusion means such as a needle orcatheter, to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of a drug.

The device may be comprised of a handheld assembly or of a system,comprised of a handheld assembly connected to other components which mayinclude fluid vessels, pumps, power sources, regulators, meters, and thelike.

Using a system, method and medical device of the present invention,transient bubbles may be generated locally at the procedure site,including just prior to or during a drug administration procedure, andacoustically activated without substantial delay. This may result in aless complex therapy system, reduce the need of additives to preservepersistent bubbles generated in pharmaceutical settings, and producemore uniform bubbles. These and other advantages will become apparent tothe skilled person.

Using a system, method, and medical device of the present invention,bubble concentration may be varied on demand, including immediatelyprior to or during a drug administration procedure. If the intent is toinfuse a large mass, for example a six to ten centimetre tumour, withchemotherapy drugs and gas bubbles for acoustic activation, minimalbubble concentration to achieve tumour cell destruction could beattained.

Minimal effective bubble concentration may be vital to the success ofthe treatment in order to avoid acoustic shadowing. Acoustic shadowingwould be the absorption of ultrasound energy by the bubbles proximal tothe ultrasound transducer, leaving those bubbles distal to thetransducer with insufficient ultrasound energy with which to achieveacoustic activation. Acoustic shadowing could cause the proximal tumourcells to be effectively destroyed but the distal tumour cellsunaffected. Varying bubble concentration on demand, and verifying theresults real time using the ultrasound display, could avoid thisproblem. These and other advantages will become apparent to the skilledperson.

A staged treatment method and medical device of the present inventioncould be used to avoid acoustic shadowing. For example, the physiciancould position the needle or catheter at the bottom third of a largetumour, infuse the drug and bubbles and acoustically activate withultrasound. Once the distal portion of the tumour was treated, theneedle or catheter could be repositioned in the central portion of thetumour, and treatment repeated, and then the needle positioned at theproximal portion of the tumour and treatment completed.

Using a system, method, and medical device of the present invention,initiation of a time reversal focused ultrasound array may be permitted.

Time reversal acoustics (TRA) is based on the reversibility of acousticpropagation that the time-reversed version of an incident pressure fieldnaturally refocuses on its source. Researchers have demonstrated theability of TRA to provide spatial control and focusing of an ultrasonicbeam in inhomogeneous media.

A TRA system can produce a more effective spatial concentrating ofultrasound energy than conventional systems, the focus volume can bemade close to the ultrasound diffraction limits, and can do so inanatomical regions where conventional ultrasound systems have limiteduse. For example, despite the severe refractions and scattering of anultrasonic beam through skull bone, researchers have focused a beam toconverge on a 1.5 mm diameter spot.

The TRA and it can be of a complex form or spherical, instead of thelung cigar-shaped volumes formed by conventional focusing systems.

The ability to effectively localize ultrasound energy and avoid exposureof surrounding tissues is important in many medical applications.

The main problem that limits application of TRA is the necessity toplace an initial pulse source at the chosen point of focusing. Themedical device of the present invention permits precise infusion of adrug and bubble cloud within a patient. A conventional ultrasound signalcould then be applied and the preferential signal echo from the bubblecloud used as an initial pulse source with which to focus the TRAultrasound. This would permit a tightly focused TRA signal toacoustically activate a drug within a tumour. Drug and microbubbles thatinadvertently dispersed into healthy tissue would not be acousticallyactivated and hence negative side effects are avoided.

Using a system, method and medical device of the present invention,other means may be used to enhance photodynamic drug effectiveness andto permit use at a depth within a patient.

The device may be used to precisely deliver a photodynamic drug infusedwith microbubbles to an area of interest. Ultrasound energy applicationwill enhance cellular uptake of the drug and the device disconnectedfrom the needle or catheter. A fiberoptic laser could then be threadedthrough the needle or catheter in order to apply light energy tophotodynamically activate the drug. Alternatively, a needle adaptercould be used to permit the extracorporeal application of light energythrough the needle to a depth within the patient.

Fiber optic probes have been inserted through thin, 27-gauge needles, invivo, into tumours in order to sense and quantify tumour fluorescentsignals. Such a technique could be used to deliver light at a depthwithin a patient. Acoustic activation and then subsequent lightactivation of photodynamic drugs, using conventional light sources,could also be performed as part of an open surgical procedure.

Using a system, method and medical device of the present invention, thephenomena of sonoluminescence may be used to permit photodynamic druguse at a depth within a patient. Sonoluminescence occurs when gasmicrobubbles collapse due to sound waves and produce light. A diffuseuniformly applied sound wave can focus its energy by over a factor ofone trillion to generate a very short flash of ultraviolet light. Noclinical medical use for the intriguing phenomenon of sonoluminescencehas been established.

In a sonoluminescence application, a method and the device of thepresent invention may be used to deliver a photodynamic drug at a depthwithin a patient. The infusion of gas microbubbles and application ofultrasound energy may be used to increase cell permeability and increasedrug uptake. The infusion of additional gas microbubbles and highintensity ultrasound may then be used to induce sonoluminescence wherebythe collapsing microbubbles light flashes activate the photodynamicdrug.

The high intensity ultrasound required to induce sonoluminescence mayhave undesirable bioeffects. Using a system, method, and medical devicethat includes a time reversal acoustics focused ultrasound array, thedesired ultrasound intensity may be achieved without negativebioeffects.

Using a system, method and medical device of the present invention,therapeutic regimes that require repeat, localized drug injections intoa patient may be reduced as the efficacy of an injection is enhanced byacoustic activation. For example, it would be particularly advantageousto reduce the number of repeat needle injections of chemotherapy to theback of the eye to treat retinoblastoma eye cancer.

It is to be appreciated that reference to a “device” of the presentinvention may be understood to include an “apparatus” or “assembly”,which may be incorporated into systems with suitable adaptations.

It is also to be appreciated that the devices of the present inventionmay be used in a variety of applications, including medical diagnosis,image guided intervention, treatment, surgery, and the like, and alsomay be used in a similar fashion in veterinary applications and inresearch applications with suitable modifications.

The term “needle” is intended to include any hollow, slender instrumentthat may be manipulated to puncture or be inserted or otherwise probetissues, organs, cavities, or the like. The needle may be used tointroduce material into or remove material from a patient or to performother therapeutic or diagnostic functions. The term needle is intendedto include rods or wire-like medical instruments, cannulas, probes,tubes and lumens, stylets, and the like.

The term “patient” may be any suitable animal, including humans andother mammals.

The term “catheter” is intended to include any flexible surgicalinstrument for the introduction of fluids into the body, includingcatheters for repeat dose drug delivery such as hickman lines.PORTACATH™ lines and the like.

The fluids container may be any suitable vessel to contain gases orliquids, such as syringes, gas tanks, a central, building-supply, fluidsource that may be connected to the device via fluid conduit, and thelike.

The fluid delivery means may be a syringe plunger actuated manually, asyringe pump, a variable speed fluid transfer pump, a peristaltic pump,the regulated release of compressed gas, or other suitable means tosupply fluids. The delivery means may also be driven manually or bymechanical means such as compression or extension springs, or othermechanical methods, by electro-mechanical means such as an electricmotor, solenoid drive, or other electro-mechanical means, or bypneumatic or hydraulic means.

The fluid delivery means may incorporate linked fluid vessels forsimultaneous actuation, for example a gear rack, multiple syringesystem. A control lever could actuate a mechanical rack, linked to twosyringe plungers, with the ratio of plunger actuation varied through theengagement of different gears. Actuating the syringe plunger of a drug,filled syringe would simultaneously actuate the syringe plunger of amicrobubble and saline filled syringe with the two fluids intermixingprior to infusion within a body. Through engaging different gears, aphysician could adjust the concentration of microbubbles in a drug ondemand, and verify the results real time through an ultrasound display.

Linked fluid vessels with simultaneous, multi-fluid intermixing atcontrolled, variable fluid ratios may be accomplished through a varietyof means including manual, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, andelectro-mechanical means. A programmable embodiment of the inventionwith a plurality of micro DC motors, encoders, and electronic circuits,may be used to actuate a plurality of fluid vessels on demand. The gearbox assembly or alternative fluid vessel linkage systems may include theoperator option of non-linking a fluid vessel, for example the option todeliver a drug without the intermixing of microbubbles.

The means for combining fluids from two containers, for example tointermix a drug with a solution of gas microbubbles in sterile saline,prior to infusion within a patient may include a septum system. Sterilesyringes containing different injectates may be loaded into a device.The syringes may have short needles that can be used to puncture aseptum, said septum used to seal a sterile needle adaptor or catheteradaptor. The advantage of such a system is to permit a simpler deviceand loading procedure than would be required to connect syringes withmulti-way sterile fluid conduits and valves.

Over all, it is to be appreciated that terms used herein are to beinterpreted and understood expansively and not strictly.

The foregoing summarizes the principal features of the invention andsome of its optional aspects. The invention may be further understood bythe description of the presently preferred embodiments, in conjunctionwith the drawings, which now follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention and, together with the description that follows, serve toexplain the principles of the invention.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 depict embodiments of the invention with a separatemicrobubble generating assembly and handheld device.

FIG. 1 depicts microbubble generation employing a pneumatic actuator.

FIG. 2 depicts microbubble generation employing a pneumatic actuatorwith means to infuse additives on demand.

FIG. 3 depicts an in-line, flow focusing, microbubble generatorassembly.

FIG. 4 depicts a handheld device used to selectively actuate foursyringes in order to infuse two drugs or a drug and saline solution withvarying concentrations and sizes of microbubbles for delivery within apatient.

FIG. 5 depicts embodiments of the invention where microbubble generationoccurs within a handheld device for direct delivery into a patient andacoustic activation.

FIG. 5 may describe an embodiment of the invention using cross flowmicrobubble generation or an embodiment of the invention using rectifieddiffusion to stabilize shrinking, transient bubbles at a desired bubblesize.

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict detailed views of cross, flow microbubblegeneration.

FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 depict detailed views of enhanced bubbledetachment means for cross flow microbubble generation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to various suitable embodimentsincluding a presently preferred embodiment of the invention asillustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood thatthis description is exemplary and is to assist in understanding theinvention and the principles of operation.

FIG. 1 depicts a microbubble generating device that employs a pneumaticactuator to generate micro bubbles of varying sizes.

A generator syringe (1) is loaded with a surfactant saline solution (2).The generator syringe plunger (3) is withdrawn in order to infuse aquantity of air within the generator syringe (1) to achieve a desiredliquid to air ratio.

The surfactant solution (2) may be comprised of a number of suitable,commercially available surfactants, for example detergents, lauric,oleic, palmitic or stearic acid, or micelle-based surfactants, in asterile saline, a phosphate buffered saline, or other liquid suitablefor injecting within the body. A plurality of surfactants, for example aSpan 60 and Tween 80 combination, may be used. The surfactants may bemelted, crushed, heated, stirred, mixed, or agitated within the liquidin order to ensure adequate solubility or distribution. The surfactantsolution may require additional heating or agitation immediately priorto use. Agitation may be achieved by manual, mechanized, ultrasonic, orother suitable means. The solution may contain other additives to adjustviscosity, promote bioadhesion of the bubbles, or enhance effectivenessof a particular therapeutic agent.

A pneumatic actuator (4) and generator assembly (5) are connected to thegenerator syringe (1). The pneumatic actuator (4), driven by regulated,compressed gas (not shown), and controlled by a pneumatic control system(not shown), is used to drive the syringe plunger (3) in order to infusethe surfactant solution (2) and air mixture into the generator assembly(5) at a controlled flow rate.

Microbubbles are formed in the generator assembly (5) through an in-lineflow focusing technique and a microbubble solution (6) is infused into amicrobubble syringe (7) connected by an adaptor (not shown).

The microbubble syringe (7) is removed and the generator assembly (5)disconnected from the generator syringe (1). The generator syringeplunger (3) may be manually withdrawn in order to infuse an additionalquantity of air within the generator syringe (1) to achieve a desiredliquid to air ratio.

The generator assembly (5) is reconnected to the generator syringe (2)and the pneumatic actuator (4) is used to purge the generator assembly(5). A second microbubble syringe (not depicted) is connected to thegenerator assembly (5). The pneumatic actuator (4) is used to drive thesurfactant solution (2) and air mixture through the generator assembly(5) at a controlled flow rate and to generate a second microbubblesolution mixture (not shown) for infusion into a second microbubblesyringe (not shown).

The second microbubbles generated may differ in size, concentration, andstability from the first bubbles generated, through the adjustment ofprocedural parameters, for example the liquid to air ratio, plunger flowrate, capillary tube and mix chamber geometry of the generator assembly,infusion of additional additives, or through the use of an alternativesurfactant solution.

The microbubble generating assembly may employ a variety of means todrive the liquid and gas mixture, for example manual, hydraulic,mechanized, or a programmable electro-mechanical system such as aprogrammable syringe pump. The syringe pump could be any number ofcommercially available products, equivalent to a Braintree BS-8000programmable syringe pump but suitable for human, veterinary, orresearch applications. The syringe pump drive force may be increased asrequired using mechanized means, for example through the addition of adrive spring or through pneumatic drive enhancement.

A liquid to air ratio in the order of 20:1 may be used to generatemicrobubbles from 1-5 micron in diameter, and a liquid to air ratio inthe order of 5:1 to generate microbubbles in the 20 micron diameterrange.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the surfactant solution(2) may be preloaded with a volume of air or other suitable gas. In thisembodiment the liquid to air or liquid to gas ratio would be fixed, andthe operator would not withdraw the plunger or infuse compressed gasinto the surfactant solution (2) prior to delivering it through thegenerator assembly (5) in order to create microbubbles.

The microbubble generator assembly (5) may be oriented vertically inorder to prevent air drawn into the surfactant solution (2) frommigrating to the top of the generator syringe (1). This would ensurethat an adequate mix of air and liquid is driven into the generatorassembly (5) in order to create the desired microbubbles.

The microbubble generator device depicted in FIG. 1 is used to infusemicrobubble solutions into a syringe for loading into a hand heldassembly as depicted in FIG. 4.

In an alternate embodiment, the microbubble generator device (1) may beused as a stand-alone therapeutic or imaging device.

The microbubbles solution in a syringe (7) may be directly infused intoa patient through catheter, needles or other means, acting as contrastmedia in order to enhance ultrasound imaging.

As a stand-alone therapeutic device, the surfactant solution (2) maycontain a drug or other therapeutic agents. The surfactant solution (2)may also contain a volume of air or gas or the plunger may be withdrawnin order to add air or compressed gas may be infused in the surfactantsolution (2). The gas or air loaded solution (2) would be driven throughthe microbubble generator assembly (5) and the subsequent drug andmicrobubble solution loaded into a syringe for infusion of the drug andmicrobubbles into the patient through a needle, catheter or othersuitable means.

The means for verifying the generated bubbles size, homogeneity, andconcentration in real time may be used with the microbubble generatingdevice. For example, a commercially available product, a CoulterMultisizer, may be used to measure bubble characteristics throughimpedance measurements of bubble and carrier fluid samples.

FIG. 2 depicts microbubble generation employing a pneumatic actuatorwith means for infusing additives on demand.

This embodiment is a variation of the microbubble generation systemdepicted in FIG. 1 with the additional means for infusing additives,either pre- or post-bubble generation, on demand.

The generator syringe (2) is connected to a three-way valve (45). Thevalve (45) would permit additive fluid (44) flow into the generatorsyringe (2) from a fluid supply such as a syringe (43) or a compressedgas canister (not shown) or other suitable means.

The additive fluid (44), or fluids, may be a variety of substances toimprove treatment. For example, additional therapeutic agents mayenhance treatment efficacy, additional surfactants may enhance bubblegeneration, and thickening agents may improve bubble generation and/orretention of a therapeutic agent in the diseased tissue.

The additive fluid (44) may be the gas used to form gas microbubbles.Gas additives may be compressed or pumped or driven by propellant, andmay be air, CO₂, noble gases, oxygen, nitrogen, perfluorocarbon, orother types of suitable gases. It may be medical grade to lessen adverseeffects on the patient. The operator may selectively adjust the valve(45) to infuse gas within the generator syringe (2) and then to deliverthe gas and surfactant solution (2) through the generator assembly (5)in order to generate microbubbles. The compressed bubble gas may also beused to drive the pneumatic actuator (4).

Fluid additives (46) may be supplied on demand, post microbubblegeneration. A valve (45) would permit additive fluid (46) flow into themicrobubble syringe (7) from a fluid supply such as a syringe (47) or acompressed gas canister (not shown) or other suitable means.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the generator assembly.

The generator assembly (5) is comprised of a series of capillary tubes(8), mix chambers (9), and adaptors (not shown), which may be containedwithin an outer casing (10).

The number of capillary tubes and mix chambers arranged in series mayrange from one of each to eight of each or more. The inner diameter ofthe capillary tubes may be in the order of 50 to 1000 microns with 300microns typical. The length of capillary tubing may vary, for examplewith a first tube 0.5 to 15 cm in length and subsequent tubes 1 to 10 cmin length. The mix chamber geometry may vary, with an inner diameter of0.2 centimeters up to 2 centimeters, with 0.3 centimeters typical, and alength of 0.05 centimeters up to 5 centimeters, with 1 centimetertypical. The capillary tubes may be arranged in a straight line or maybe offset to promote the mixing of bubbles and liquid in the mixchambers.

The capillary tubes and mix chambers may be fabricated in a variety ofmethods using a variety of materials. Material selection would permitsterilization of interior surfaces contacting the surfactant solutionthat is to be infused within a patient.

Stainless steel medical needles cut to length may be used to form thecapillary tubes. The mix chambers may be machined from sections ofplastic tubing (11), from plastic or metal material such as acrylic.Teflon, or brass, with a through hole drilled within which to fit thecapillary tubes. Epoxy may be used to leak proof the mated tubingsections. Syringe adaptors may be standard leak tight adaptors such asLuer-lok. The entire assembly may be cast or molded or subsectionsfabricated and contained within a suitable casing (10) of steel,plastic, or other material.

Tube sections (11) may feature O-ring grooves within which to fitO-rings made of a suitable material such as silicon. The leak proof gapbetween tubing sections contained by the O-rings may form the mixchambers (9).

The cross sectional geometry of the capillary tubes (8), mix chambers(9), tube sections (11), and casing (10) may be circular, oval,elliptical, rectangular, or any suitable polygonal shape.

Generator assembly (5) sections may be comprised of commercial leakproof adaptors threaded or otherwise connected to each other. Alternatesections may be comprised of capillary tubes epoxied in place andadaptors forming the mix chambers. The advantage of this embodimentwould be to combine the outer casing, mix chambers, and capillary tubehousing in single, commercially available components.

The means for infusing additional additives to the surfactant solutionon demand may also be incorporated within the generator assembly.Through holes with valves, plugs, or other suitable means may beincorporated into the generator assembly (5).

FIG. 4 depicts a front, side, and cross-sectional view of a handhelddevice that is separate from a microbubble generating device.

A handheld device (12) is loaded with four syringes. The syringescontain small air microbubbles, for example 5 micron diameter, in asaline solution (7), larger air microbubbles, for example 20 microndiameter, in saline (not shown), a drug (13), and a sterile salinesolution (not shown).

Two actuators (14) on the handheld device (12) are used by the operatorto select and manually drive either the drug (13) or the sterile salinesolution (not shown). A control bevel (15) is used to select either thesmall microbubble syringe (7) or large microbubble syringe to besimultaneously actuated. The control bevel (15) is also used to adjustthe concentration of microbubbles in the drug by engaging a gearboxassembly (16).

The gearbox assembly (16) is comprised of racks and pinions (not shown).The control bevel (15) is used to selectively engage different pinionsto the drive racks linked to the manual actuators (14) and various gearratios can be selected to vary the ratio of the drug syringe plungertravel to the microbubble syringe plunger travel and hence to adjust theconcentration of microbubbles within the drug in real time.

The drug (13) and microbubbles in saline (7) are driven through needleadaptors (17), short needles (18), and into a shallow, sterile chamber(19) sealed by a septum (20). The drug and microbubble mixture is driventhrough the patient needle adaptor (21) and through a patient needle(not shown) to be infused within a patient.

During the handheld device (12) loading, the four syringe needles (18)puncture the septum (20). Alternatively, the four syringes could beattached to sterile fluid conduits, with, for example, a singlefour-way, or two-two way connectors, providing a fluid path to thepatient needle. The advantage of a septum chamber is to permit a fastersyringe loading, which may be important if the microbubbles' persistenceis in the order of minutes or less. The septum chamber may also reducethe risk of compromising the sterility of the injectate by permitting asimpler loading procedure.

To aid drug delivery ergonomics, the physician may engage two fingergrips (22) to permit single hand use, thus enabling the physician tohold an ultrasound transducer with the other hand.

The handheld device (12) is assembled through threading the septumcasing (23) into the syringe casing (24), and connecting the syringecasing (24) to the gearbox casing (25) with snap fits (26).Alternatively, the septum and syringe casings could be a single, sterileconsumable, with the septum ultrasonically welded into a molded housing.

A variety of casing configurations, fluid connection means, and assemblyprocedures may be used. The fluid vessels could be connected to a commonpatient needle or catheter adaptor through two, three, or four way fluidconduits, valves, or other suitable means including mechanical orelectronically controlled valve systems.

The handheld device (12) could be used to deliver a plurality oftherapeutic agents and other injectates at varying concentrations andcombinations. For example, drugs could be combined with ultrasoundcontrast agents, drugs combined with alternate acoustically activateddrug delivery systems, such as polymeric micelles or microsponges loadedwith chemotherapy, and the like.

The term “drug” as used in the specification can be liquid, a solution,a suspension, solid particulates in a solution, etc. The liquid drug maybe any suitable therapeutic agent or agents that can be delivered underpressure through a needle or catheter, such as a single organic orinorganic drug, a solution of different drugs, drug particles orradiolabelled particles suspended in a fluid, a time release deliverysystem such as drug eluting microspheres or other embedded drug systemssuspended in a fluid, an acoustically activated drug delivery system, atargeted drug delivery system or agent, a bioadhesion additive, anembolization gel, or other therapeutic agents.

FIG. 5 depicts a cross sectional and detailed view of an embodiment ofthe invention where microbubble generation occurs within a handhelddevice for direct delivery into a tumour and acoustic activation.

A physician uses the handheld device (12) to position a patient needle(27) at the desired point of interest, for example a tumour (28). Thehandheld device is loaded with two syringes containing a drug (13) and asterile saline solution (29). A Y-shaped conduit connects the outlet ofeach of the syringes and merges the two fluid paths into a single fluidpath connected to a hollow patient needle (27) that may be inserted intothe point of interest (28), defining a path of fluid flow into thepatient's body.

A microbubble generating system (30) is connected to the fluid flow pathin order to infuse gas microbubbles (31) within the drug (13) or saline(29). Compressed gas contained within a cylinder (not shown), andcontrolled by a regulator (not shown), is driven through a fluid conduit(32) into the generating system (30) and transformed into bubble formthrough cross flow or other means.

After infusion of the drug (13) and microbubbles (31) within the tumour(28), an ultrasound transducer (33) is used to apply ultrasound energy.The resulting acoustic activation may resonate or destroy themicrobubbles (31).

Acoustically activating a micro or nano bubble, either a bubblecomprised of a drug or a non-therapeutic bubble within a drug carrier,with ultrasound may be used:

-   -   to activate the pharmacological activity of a therapeutic agent,        such as enhancing drug transport through tissues and across cell        membranes, and, or    -   to create a local hyperthermic condition that can enhance the        destruction of diseased tissue such as cancerous tissue, and, or    -   to further enhance the drug uptake of acoustically activated        drug delivery systems by means such as increasing the local        cavitations and microstreaming

The handheld device (12) may be used to perform precision drug deliveryto a point of interest. Once the needle (27) is positioned at a tumour(28), a physician may pulse the saline solution (29) infused with gasmicrobubbles (31) at different flow rates, flow volumes, and needlepositions, and monitor the liquid's perfusion in the patient using theultrasound display (not shown). Once satisfied, the physician may theninfuse the drug (13) with microbubbles (31), and verify the drugdelivery precision real time. Precision drug delivery avoidsdebilitating side effects to healthy tissue and ensures that the entiretumour volume is treated and may be destroyed.

The handheld device (12) may be used to enhance the needle visibilityduring ultrasound-image guidance. If the needle (27) fades from theultrasound display at a depth within a patient, the physician may pulsea small quantity of saline solution (29) infused with gas microbubbles(31) a brief distance in order to clearly indicate the position of theneedle tip and enable the safe guidance of the needle (27) to the tumour(28).

As depicted, the syringes, conduits and fluid housing are contained in ahand held frame that includes a mount for attachment of the needle. Theframe may be variously shaped containing or supporting one or more offluid containers, conduits, and injection means. The bubble generatingmeans may also be supported in the frame. The frame may also supportvarious other controls, regulators, valves, heat sources refrigerationsources, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, flow sensors, fluidswitch mechanisms, flow rate regulators, ultrasound transducers,transducer array, insulation, and the like. The frame may be providedwith a handle. The frame may also support meters, controllers,controller I/O, display and power source. Alternatively, one or more ofthese components may be separate from the frame but systemicallyelectrically linked to other components on the frame.

The handheld assembly (12) may alternatively be provided with a singlesyringe or a plurality of syringes, or other vessels containing fluidsfor delivery to a patient. The fluid from other vessels may be deliveredunder pressure using manual or mechanical means and may be connected tothe single conduit. The drug (13) may be delivered to the point ofinterest by manual means, for example by depressing a syringe plunger,mechanized, pneumatic, hydraulic, or electro-mechanical means.

The microbubble generating system (30) may be comprised of a cross flowmicrobubble generation system or an alternate system. The microbubblegenerating system (30) may include a transducer or transducer array inorder to permit the stabilization of shrinking bubbles at a particulardesired bubble size through rectified diffusion.

In an embodiment of the invention employing rectified diffusion, atransducer or transducer array affixed to the device is used to applyultrasound energy to shrinking microbubbles contained within astabilization chamber. This embodiment may include controls to vary thefrequency, intensity, and mode of the ultrasound. Varying the ultrasoundfrequency permits real time adjustment of the bubble size, for examplethe operator may choose to stabilize the shrinking bubbles at 10 micronsor 5 microns. The associated power source and controls for thetransducer or transducer array may be incorporated within the handhelddevice, tethered to it, or linked via wireless means.

Non-homogenous bubbles may be generated using the device (12), and thesemay shrink to a desired size, and be stabilized at that size, withinseconds or minutes. The microbubbles may then be infused within thepatient using a needle, catheter, or other means, prior to their beingacoustically activated using the ultrasound transducer (33) in contactwith the patient's body. During infusion, the bubbles will not besubjected to a stabilizing ultrasound energy and will shrink. Thereforeif the operator desires 5 micron bubbles within the patient at the pointof interest (28), they may select to stabilize the bubbles at 7 to 10microns within the device (30) and these bubbles may shrink duringinfusion, or within the patient, to the desired size.

A utility of combination therapy, the means for delivering a variety oftherapeutic agents at a point of interest, is to enhance treatmentefficacy for indications such as drug resistant cancer tumours. Furtherutility is obtained by the flexibility of varying treatment to meet apatient's specific needs.

A number of relatively biologically harmless fluids could serve as thebubble carrier fluid, such as sterile saline solution, phosphatebuffered saline, sterile water, blood, or other fluids. The carrierfluid may include additives to alter its viscosity in order to promotethe creation and stability of transient bubbles. The carrier fluid mayinclude additives to promote the efficacy of the therapeutic agent, suchas a drug to prevent infection or to aid or to combat the migration ofthe drug.

The pressure may be supplied to the drug using a variety of meansincluding a manual syringe or an electromechanical fluid pump. Thepressure required is dependent on a variety of factors, such as the sizeand homogenity of the bubbles desired, viscosity of the drug, and thelike.

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict an orthogonal and plan view of details of anembodiment of the invention employing cross flow microbubble generation.

A liquid drug (13) is driven through a fluid conduit (34) into a crossflow chamber (35). A rotating drum (36) induces recirculating drug flowin the chamber (35). Compressed gas (37) is driven through a pipette(38) into the cross flow chamber (35) and is transformed intomicrobubbles (31). The cross flow motion of the liquid drug (13) maypromote bubble detachment and result in smaller, more homogenous bubbleformation than would be possible with a static system.

The pipette may have a single opening, ranging in diameter from one halfto five microns in diameter or greater. The pipette may have a pluralityof openings, for example a filter membrane with hundreds of nano ormicron sized openings may be used.

The drug (13) infused with gas microbubbles (31) is driven through anexit fluid conduit (39) for infusion into a patient.

The rotating drum may be actuated by a number of means, for examplethrough a drive shaft connected to a mechanized or electro-mechanicalmotor positioned outside the cross flow chamber, or using commerciallyavailable magnetic stirrer technology whereby a rotating drive shaftwould not be required.

A potential drawback of the cross flow system is that the microbubbles(31) may have a tendency to grow in the direction of the cross flowprior to detachment, as depicted in FIG. 8, and hence have a bubblediameter twenty to fifty times the diameter of the pipette opening.Small, 1 to 5 micron bubbles are typically used for acoustic activationapplications and it is desirable to maximize the pipette diameter forease of fabrication. Therefore it is advantageous to promote microbubbledetachment such that the microbubble diameter is in the order of two toten times the pipette diameter.

FIG. 9 depicts a funnel (40) used to focus the cross flow on the formingmicrobubble neck and hence promote detachment of the bubbles (31) at arelatively small size.

FIG. 10 depicts a curved channel, or hydrofoil, (41) used to direct thecross flow to the distal side of the pipette (37), to prevent bubblepropagation in the direction of the cross flow, and hence to promotedetachment of the bubbles (31) at a relatively small size.

FIG. 11 depicts right-angled pipette, (42) used to deliver the gas flowin the direction of the liquid cross flow to prevent bubble propagationin the direction of the cross flow, and hence to promote detachment ofthe bubbles (31) at a relatively small size.

Other means for preventing microbubbles from propagating in thedirection of the cross flow and to promote bubble detachment include themeans to rotate or spin the pipette along its axis to create additionalshear force and prevent the forming bubble from sheltering behind thepipette stem. An electromechanical or transducer vibration source couldalso be used to periodically impact the pipette in order to promotebubble detachment.

The various embodiments of the device may be comprised of or used withstandard, commercial, medical components such as needles, needleadaptors, catheters, syringes, guide wires, infusion pumps, fluidconduits, leak proof fittings, meters, laparoscopes, endoscopes, probes,multiple lumen delivery means and the like. The various embodiments ofthe device may be comprised of specialized components with attributessuch as MRI compatible materials, coatings to enhance the image guidanceof the device, and the like. Fluid vessels, such as syringes, may beattached to the handheld assembly using means such as adjustable clampsor connected to the handheld assembly using means such as fluidconduits.

A medical device such as disclosed in PCT/CA2004/000174 which isincorporated herein by reference may be provided with an additionalmeans for generating micro or nano scale bubbles. For example, micro ornano scale bubbles may be used to enhance the ultrasonic visibility of aneedle as disclosed in PCT/CA2004/000174 and may also be used to permittherapy enhanced by acoustic activation as disclosed in thisapplication.

A medical device such as disclosed in U.S. No. 60/567,453 which isincorporated herein by reference, may be provided with an additionalmeans for generating micro or nano scale bubbles. For example, means togenerate transient micro or nano scale bubbles to permit therapyenhanced by acoustic activation as disclosed in U.S. No. 60/567,453 mayalso be used in combination with means to generate bubbles, such asrectified diffusion and cross flow, as disclosed in this application.

CONCLUSION

Devices for generating bubbles for infusion within a patient and foractivation by an ultrasound source are disclosed. The devices mayenhance the efficacy of a treatment by increasing cellular uptake of adrug at the point of interest and may reduce undesired side effects.

The device may be comprised of a handheld assembly or system comprisinginjection means for injecting fluids into a patient such as a needle orcatheter, fluid containers, fluid discharge means, and a bubblegenerating means to generate micro or nano scale bubbles.

The device may include means for controlling or regulating the fluidsupply, such as flow controls, pressure sensors, flow sensors, fluidswitch mechanisms, regulators or valves. The device may include meters,controllers, controller I/O, display, and power source.

These claims, and the language used therein, are to be understood interms of the variants of the invention, which have been described. Theyare not to be restricted to such variants, but are to be read ascovering the full scope of the invention as is implicit within theinvention and the disclosure that has been provided herein.

The foregoing has constituted a description of specific embodimentsshowing how the invention may be applied and put into use. Theseembodiments are only exemplary. The invention in broader, and morespecific aspects, is further described and defined in the claims thatnow follow.

1. A device for generating bubbles for introduction into a bodycomprising: a generator syringe having a plunger slidably disposedwithin the generator syringe, the generator syringe preloaded with apreload of a liquid carrier component and a gas component in apredetermined liquid to gas ratio determined to provide bubbles ofpreselected size; a generator assembly that connects to the generatorsyringe; the generator assembly including an in-line flow focusingsystem having longitudinally spaced and interconnected first, capillarytube and second, mix chamber respectively of comparatively smaller andcomparatively larger cross-sections cooperative to provide bubbles as aresult of travel of said preload of a liquid carrier component and a gascomponent in a predetermined liquid and gas ratio through saidlongitudinally spaced and interconnected first, capillary tube andsecond, mix chamber respectively of comparatively smaller andcomparatively larger cross-sections of said in-line flow focusingsystem; and said plunger applying a pressure to the generator syringecausing the preload of liquid carrier component and gas component insaid predetermined liquid to gas ratio to travel from the generatorsyringe through the comparatively smaller and comparatively largercapillary tube and mix chamber of said in-line flow focusing system ofthe generator assembly to an outlet of the generator assembly resultingin said bubbles of said preselected size.
 2. The device according toclaim 1, further comprising: a second syringe for supplying a secondfluid to the generator assembly.
 3. The device according to claim 1,wherein the carrier component further comprises one member selected fromthe group consisting of: a therapeutic agent, a carrier, an additive, astabilizer, a bioadhesive, a targeted agent, and a combination thereof.4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the therapeutic agentincludes one or more of: a liquid drug, organic or inorganic; a soliddrug suspended in a fluid; an acoustically activated drug deliverysystem, suspended in a fluid; a therapeutic chemical including ethanolor acid; an embolization fluid, gel, or gel suspension; a photodynamicdrug; a radioisotope labelled drug or particle; and an imaging systemcontrast agent for imaging systems including CT scans, MRI, ultrasound,or X-ray.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is ahandheld device.
 6. The device according to claim 2, wherein the secondfluid is an additional therapeutic agent.
 7. The device according toclaim 6, further comprising an injection means communicating with theoutlet.
 8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means forstabilizing transient bubbles at a desired bubble size comprising: meansfor directing the bubbles to a stabilizing chamber; and means fortransmitting an ultrasonic pulse at the bubbles for a sufficient timeperiod for the bubbles to shrink to and stabilize at a sizecorresponding to the resonant frequency, or a harmonic, of theultrasonic pulse.
 9. The device according to claim 1, further comprisingtemperature control means for modulating a temperature of the preload.10. The device of according to claim 1, further comprising a storagevessel positioned downstream of the generator assembly for receiving thebubbles.
 11. A system for acoustically activating bubbles comprising: adevice according to claim 1; and acoustic activation means forgenerating acoustic pulses; wherein the acoustic activation means isselected from the group consisting of an ultrasound transducer, and atransducer array for transmitting pulses; and wherein acousticactivation of the bubbles induces a member selected from the groupconsisting of inertial cavitations, non-inertial cavitations, bubbleresonance, and bubble destruction and a combination thereof.
 12. Asystem for enhancing high intensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU) treatmentcomprising: a device according to claim 1; and HIFU means for generatinghigh intensity focused ultrasound pulses; wherein the HIFU means isselected from the group consisting of a HIFU probe for minimallyinvasive tumour ablation, an extracorporeal, high intensity ultrasoundtransducer, and a transducer array for transmitting pulses; wherein thehigh intensity focused ultrasound means comprises means for focusing thepulses; and wherein the HIFU energy applied to the bubbles induces amember selected from the group consisting of inertial cavitations,non-inertial cavitations, bubble resonance, bubble destruction, and acombination thereof.
 13. A method for acoustically activating bubblescomprising: using a device according to claim 1 to generate bubbles;introducing the bubbles to a point of interest in a body; and applyingacoustic pulses at the bubbles; wherein the acoustic pulses aregenerated by acoustic activation means, selected from the groupconsisting of an ultrasound transducer, and a transducer array fortransmitting pulses; and wherein the acoustic activation of the bubblesinduces a member selected from the group consisting of inertialcavitations, non-inertial cavitations, bubble resonance, bubbledestruction, and a combination thereof.
 14. A method for enhancing highintensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU) treatment comprising: using adevice according to claim 1 to generate bubbles; introducing the bubblesto a point of interest in a body, and applying HIFU pulses at thebubbles; wherein the HIFU means is selected from the group consisting ofa HIFU probe for minimally invasive tumour ablation, an extracorporeal,high intensity ultrasound transducer, and a transducer array fortransmitting pulses; wherein the HIFU means comprises means for focusingthe pulses, and wherein the HIFU energy applied to the bubbles induces amember selected from the group consisting of inertial cavitations,non-inertial cavitations, bubble resonance, bubble destruction, and acombination thereof.
 15. A method of treatment of cancers and tumours,including retinoblastoma, esophageal and liver cancers, vasculardisease, or neurological disease comprising: using a device according toclaim 1 to generate bubbles; introducing the bubbles to a point ofinterest in a body; generating acoustic pulses; and applying theacoustic pulses at the bubbles; wherein the acoustic activation means isselected from the group consisting of an ultrasound transducer, and atransducer array for transmitting pulses; and wherein the acousticactivation of the bubbles induces a member selected from the groupconsisting of inertial cavitations, non-inertial cavitations, bubbleresonance, bubble destruction, and a combination thereof.
 16. A methodfor inducing cell necrosis in diseased tissue comprising: using a deviceaccording to claim 1 to generate bubbles; introducing the bubbles to apoint of interest in a body; and applying high intensity focusedultrasound (HIFU) pulses at the bubbles; wherein the high intensityfocussed ultrasound is applied using means selected from the groupconsisting of a HIFU probe for minimally invasive tumour ablation, anextracorporeal, high intensity ultrasound transducer, and a transducerarray for transmitting pulses; wherein the pulses are focused using atime reversal acoustics array, and wherein the HIFU pulses applied tothe bubbles induces a member selected from the group consisting ofinertial cavitations, non-inertial cavitations, bubble resonance, bubbledestruction, and a combination thereof.
 17. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the gas component further comprises one member selectedfrom the group consisting of: air, a perflorocarbon, and a combinationthereof.